Bio

Roots Rock Reggae icons BIG SUGAR hit the stage for select 2025 festivals.

Guitarist and vocalist Gordie Johnson, bassist Anders Drerup and 23-year-old

phenom drummer Root Valach are fresh from recording the first new Big Sugar

album in 5 years to be released later this year. The band is doubling down on the

Power Trio format after the past whirlwind year that saw the THIRD MAN RECORDS

vinyl release of their influential 500 POUNDS record, a JACK WHITE cover of Big

Sugar’s ‘Ride Like Hell’ and an extensive theater tour including dates with JACK

WHITE, WARREN HAYNES, THE BLACK CROWES and ISLAND EXODUS w GOV’T MULE.

Since the 90’s Big Sugar have been a staple on the airwaves and highways with their

heavy soul-driven sound, combined with socially conscious lyrics and a distinct

reggae influence. Songs like “Diggin’ A Hole”, “If I Had My Way”, “Turn the Lights On”

and “Roads Ahead” featuring Gordie Johnson’s signature guitar playing have built a

loyal following, earning Big Sugar a Road Gold Award as they continue to sell out

concerts across North America.

Big Sugar has garnered artistic acclaim from musical giants such as:

• Jack White- “500 Pounds, I think is the best blues record to ever come out of

Canada. I love this record so much.”

• Joe Satriani- “Gordie is one of those players when he picks up the 6 string and plugs

it in he makes a kind of magic. Even if you play the same notes it won’t come close. I

don’t know how he does it.”

• Warren Haynes “I trust GJ’s instincts so much, which is why he is there. From a

creative standpoint, he is one of the best I have ever worked with.”

• Billy Gibbons, “ZZ Top did a song called ‘I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide’… it could have

been written about Big Sugar.”

Website: www.bigsugar.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigsugarmusic

Instagram: www.instagram.com/big_sugar_music

Twitter: www.twitter.com/big_sugar_music

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/BigSugarBand